Dental Health

More than 85% of dogs and cats over 4 years old have some form of periodontal disease, a painful inflammatory condition in which bacteria attack the gums, ligaments, and bone tissues that surround and support teeth. Senior dogs and cats and those 7 or more years old are especially susceptible to periodontal disease.

Even though most of us are highly motivated when it comes to our own family's teeth, dental care is one of the most neglected pet health need. Try to imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you didn't brush them daily or make regular visits to your dentist. The same applies to your pet's teeth. However, the responsibility falls on owners since pets aren't capable of taking care of their own teeth.

The problem begins when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your pet's teeth. The plaque and tartar cause the gums to become tender, red and swollen. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the large network of blood vessels located near the gums and teeth. Studies have documented that certain heart, liver, and kidney diseases are associated with theses bacteria. Parts of the nervous system may be affected as well. Damage to organs can shorten the lives of dogs and cats.

Some signs and symptoms of poor oral health include:
- persistent bad breath
-sensitivity around the mouth 
-loss of appetite (simply because it is too painful to eat)
-plaque formation
-tartar formation (creamy brown, hard material on the tooth surface)
-loose, broken, or missing teeth
-infected teeth (plus between teeth and gums)
-difficulty eating and chewing food
-bleeding, inflamed, or receding gums

The first step on caring for your pet's teeth and gums is to schedule a through oral examination with your veterinarian. Depending on the condition of the teeth and gums, your pet's veterinarian may reccomend a complete dental cleaning. It is very important for the doctor to perform this comprehensive oral exam before cleaning to determine whether or not your pet needs to be on antibiotics before the procedure. The antibiotics are used to prevent any further infection that can be caused by the tartatr that is removed.

Your pet will be sedated for this cleaning procedure. Their cleaning will be similar to the ones you receive. While under anesthesia, the tartar will be removed from their teeth and then they will be polished with a fluoride paste. In addition, any loose or damaged teeth may be pulled. After their professional cleaning, the next step will be for you to maintain your pet's oral health at home. We reccomend brushing your pet's teeth regularly, just as you brush your own. Human toothepaste tends to foam up and can be very unpleasant for your pet. It can also cause stomach upset from swallowing the foam.

Our Dental Cleaning includes:

1) General Anesthesia: This is necessary in all cleanings in order for us to safely perform the dental examination and professional cleaning. Anesthetic safety is a very important priority at Animal Health Center and we perform extensive monitoring throughout the procedure. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is performed prior to the dental to make sure the organs can handle the anesthesia and that there are no underlying problems.

2) Dental Examination: We perform a throrough exam of the oral cavity and chart your pet's deantal health before every cleaning. We assess if any additional procedures need to be done.

3) Ultrasonic and Hand Scaling: This removes plaque and tartat above and below the gum line. A thorough cleaning below the gum line is critical, as this is the area where bacteria hide.

4) Polishing: This helps to smooth the surface of the tooth after scaling and prevent further plaque build up.

After completion of your pets dental examination your veterinarian may suggest one of the following products to you:

1) Porphyromonas vaccine: This vaccine aids in teh prevention of canine periodontitis as demonstrated by a reduction in bone chnages. Periodontitis, the most common bacterial infection in dogs, can lead to long-term effects such as tooth loss if left untreated.

2) Ora Vet: This product provides a barrier sealant that helps to protect teeth and gums from plaque and calculus build up due to bacteria. We will apply it after your pet's dental cleaning. After the cleaning you will begin the weekly at-home applications of Ora Vet Gel to your pet's teeth once a week.

3)Hills Perscription Diet T/D: This dog food actually scrubs your pet's teach like a scrub brush when they chew it. As the teeth penetrate the food, stains and deposits of plaque and tartar are wiped from the surface of the teeth, helping prevent problems like bad breath and tooth loss.

Diet can be a major factor in the development of plaque and tartar. Dry food, biscuits, and abrasive diets (NO TABLE FOOD) can be helpful in removing plaque above the gum line. Regular visits to your veterinarian are also important. Your veterinarian may be able to detect early signs of periodontal diseases and give you helpful hints on how to care for your pet's teeth at home. Remeber, dental care is an important to your pet's health as it is to your own. The advantage that we have is that we understand the pain, where it is coming from, and how to get ourselves to a dentist. If our pets have a toothache, they may just stop eating because it is too painful. Therefore, we must do everything we can for our pets to prevent the problems before they start. We owe it to them to provide regular dental care and cleaning since they are unable to do it for themselves. Don't wait until your pet's annual exam if you suspect a problem.